Interlocked base and an overlaying surface covering

Abstract

Multiple polymeric panels molded as a rigid integral body having a planar top surface and a bottom grid structure are attached together mechanically along irregular side edges. Each side surface has alternating upwardly and downwardly facing steps. The steps of adjacent panels engage each other to form complementary upwardly and downwardly facing pairs of steps. The multiple polymeric panels are overlaid with linoleum, carpet, synthetic grass, tile or wood flooring.

1 . An interlocked base and an overlaying surface covering comprising: 
 Multiple polymeric panels of an irregular multiple side surface configuration, each side surface having alternating upwardly and downwardly facing steps, the steps of adjacent panels engaging each other to form complementary upwardly and downwardly facing pairs of steps, each polymeric panel molded as a rigid integral body having a planar top surface and a grid structure supporting the top surface;    the steps of the side surfaces of one panel mechanically attached to a complementary step of an adjacent panel; and    the surface covering overlaying the planar top surface of the attached multiple molded polymeric panels.    
   
   
       2 . The interlocked base according to  claim 1 , wherein the covering overlaying the planar top surface is a rolled on sheet.  
   
   
       3 . The interlocked base according to  claim 1 , wherein the covering overlaying the planar top surface is a carpet.  
   
   
       4 . The interlocked base according to  claim 1 , wherein the covering overlaying the planar top surface is wood flooring.  
   
   
       5 . The interlocked base according to  claim 1 , wherein the covering overlaying the planar top surface is multiple tiles fastened together.  
   
   
       6 . The interlocked base according to  claim 1 , wherein the steps of the molded polymeric panels have a complementary projecting convex surface from one step engaging a concave dimple on the step from an adjacent panel to mechanically lock the panels together.  
   
   
       7 . The interlocked base according to  claim 1 , wherein the steps are mechanically attached by a screw passing through bores in complementary downwardly and upwardly facing steps from separate adjacent panels.  
   
   
       8 . The interlocked base according to  claim 1 , wherein the steps are mechanically attached by a bolt passing through a bore in one step and engaging a threaded insert in a complementary step in an adjacent panel.  
   
   
       9 . The interlocked base according to  claim 2 , wherein the rolled on sheet is linoleum.  
   
   
       10 . The interlocked base according to  claim 2 , wherein the rolled on sheet is synthetic grass.  
   
   
       11 . The interlocked base according to  claim 2 , wherein the rolled on sheet is indoor/outdoor carpet.  
   
   
       12 . The interlocked base according to  claim 1 , wherein the polymeric panels are about four feet by four feet in length and width.  
   
   
       13 . An interlocked base and an overlaying surface covering comprising: 
 multiple polymeric panels mechanically joined together, each polymeric panel molded as a rigid integral body having a planar top surface, bottom grid structure and multiple side surfaces;    a side surface of each panel joined together having alternating downwardly and upwardly facing steps, the upwardly facing step of one panel mating with a downwardly facing step of a side surface of an adjacent panel; and    the surface covering overlaying the planar top surface of the joined multiple molded polymeric panels.    
   
   
       14 . The interlocked base according to  claim 13 , wherein the mating steps are mechanically joined by complementary convex projections entering a concave dimple on adjacent side surfaces of contiguous panels.  
   
   
       15 . The interlocked base according to  claim 13 , wherein a tapered edge is attached to at least one side surface.  
   
   
       16 . An interlocked base and an overlaying surface covering comprising: 
 a multiplicity of one piece sectional molded rigid polymeric panels, each panel having alternating downwardly and upwardly facing steps in a side surface, a planar top surface, a grid structure integral with the top surface, the panels mechanically joined together along adjacent side surfaces; and    a rolled sheet covering the planar top surface of the joined molded polymeric panels.    
   
   
       17 . The interlocked base according to  claim 16 , wherein the polymeric panels are molded from filled polypropylene.  
   
   
       18 . The interlocked base according to  claim 16 , wherein the polymeric panels are formed by compression molding.  
   
   
       19 . The interlocked base according to  claim 16 , wherein the rolled sheet is carpet.  
   
   
       20 . The interlocked base according to  claim 16 , wherein the rolled sheet is synthetic grass.  
   
   
       21 . The interlocked base according to  claim 16 , wherein the panels are mechanically joined together by a step in a side surface of one panel having a convex projection engaging a concave dimple in a step on a side surface of an adjacent panel.  
   
   
       22 . The interlocked base according to  claim 16 , wherein the panels are mechanically joined together by a screw passing through complementary steps in adjacent panels.